Self-locking switch-lever.



T. J. ARLEDGE.

SELF LOCKING SWiTC'H LEVER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 20, l9l6-,

1 ,2]. 9,2 1 4:. Patented Mar. 13, 1917;

2 SHEETS-SHEET :ELq-l- 31401144 07,

l M was T. l. ARLEDGE.

SELF LOCKING SWITCH LEVER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 20, 1,916.

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Applicationfiled May 26;

- followin 'to be a fulliclear-and-exact ide-e scription ofthe= invention,-such1aaswill enable others skilled in the art'to which it1ap-,- pertains. to make and use thesame.

The object of this invention is theprovision of a simple, durable and eflicient selflocking operating lever for railroad switches, that is so constructed as to admit of the locking mechanism-being conveniently re--: moved, when desired, to admit of new mech anism being substituted therefor.

Other objects will appear and be better understood from that embodiment of my invention of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical elevation of a switch stand, showing the leverapplied thereto, a portion of the lever being in section,

Fig. 2 is a section, taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section, taken through the lever at a point above the lock casing,

Fig. at is a detail sectional view, taken through the lower end of the lever and showing a modified form of casing associated therewith,

Fig. 5 is a section, taken on the line 55 of Fig. 4,

Fig. 6 is a section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. at.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the numeral 1 designates a switch stand of ordinary construction and the numeral 2 represents a lever constructed'in accordance with my invention. The lever 2 is formed of cast metal, and has its lower end enlarged, as shown at 3, and is provided at a point above the enlarged portion 8 with a lock casing 4. The lock casing 4 is provided with a transverse opening 5, which is of rectangular shape in cross section and the greater width of the opening 5 extends horizontally, as shown more particularly in Fig. 2 of the drawings, and the said opening 5 registers with a similar opening 7 extending transversely through the lever 2. The up- 25 normally projects into the 1916. Serial No. 98,8803:

perendof thetcasing disclosed by a remov-- able-plate 8, which has its opposite, ends' 'pros- Specification of Letters Patent. Patente d BT31. 13, 191 7.

vided withflanges 9, whi h l'esteupon-athe-e upper end of the casing A,-:and are-secured thereto by means of fastening elements-10.-

Removably positioned within the. casing ,4 is. a dock-11 having. a springzpressed lock bolt.

of any usualeconstruction, and

Then

housing ofthe lock has-.itsnpper end-pro vided with .wla-tera-lly. extending flanges: whichvrest upont shoulders 13 formed on ,the

innersurface of= the casinggl at: a .poi-ntfad.

jacentthe opening .5. Theafront-wall ofthew casing. 1 is .providedwvith an opening 2.;14';

which registers with a key insert in the lock 11-, so as to admit of 1 suitable keyibeing inserted within the casing tomanipulate the bolt. The lock bolt is designated by the nu.- meral 15, and has its upperend normally projecting into the opening 5 in the upper end of the casing.

The switch stand 1 is provided with a lateral projection 16, the free end of which is adapted to be received by the openings 5 and 7 formed, respectively, in the casing 4 and the lever 2, when the fever 2 is in the position shown in Fig. 2, and the said free 7 end of the projection 16 is provided with an opening 17 for the reception of the outer end of the lock bolt 15, so as to admit of the lever 2 being locked in position.

In the construction shown inFig. 4 the v lock casinginstead of being disposed vertically, as shown in Fig. 1, extends horizontally and has one end projecting a considerable distance beyond the adjacent side of the lever 2, as shown at 18. In this construction instead of the transverse opening having its major width extending horizontally, it is disposed vertically, as shown at 19, and registers with a similar vertical opening 20 formed in the lever. The interior of the casing shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 is constructed identically with the interior of the casing shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, having shoulders formed therein to be engaged by flanges 21 carried by-a lock 22 similar to the lock 11 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. A removableplate 23closes one end of the casing 18 and is secured in place by means of the fastening element 24. The lock 22 is provided with a spring pressed lock bolt 25 similar to the bolt 15 in the look 11, shown in Fig. 2, and the said bolt opening 19 versely extending opening formed in the free end of a projection 26 carried by the switch stand.

By virtue of providing the casings 4 and 18 with the removable plates 8 and 23, the locks 11 and 22 can be conveniently and expeditiously moved to admit of new looks being substituted when desired.

From the foregoing, it will be seen, that when the lever is moved to lowered position, the same will be automatically locked against movement, so as to prevent the switch being left open.

What I claim is:

1; The combination with a switch stand and a switch operating lever mounted-thereon and provided with an opening, a casing associated with the lever and having its interier communicating with the opening in the lever, means carried by the switch stand and adapted to extend through the opening in the lever and into the casing when the lever is moved in one direction, and means re- Gopies of this patent may be obtained. for

a removable plate inclosing one end of the casing. 7

2. The combination with a switch stand and a switch operating lever mounted thereon, of a casing formed integral with the lever and having one end extending beyond one side of the lever, locking means located within the extended end of the casing, and means carried by the switch stand and adapted to extend into the casing when the lever is moved in one direction and to be engaged by the locking'means for normally holding the lever against movement.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses. r

7 THOMAS'J; ARLEDGE. Witnesses:

E. CoNRoY, E. S. LAND.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patent. Washington, D. G. i 

